I think he'll likely return to the tour during the February 'South American clay court swing'.

Since he's already committed to Acapulco (which doesn't start until the end of February) I think he'll probably start back at the 250 clay court tournament in Sao Paolo in mid February (ideal as it's a small clay court tournament with a relatively weak field).

Playing those two clay court tournaments would then prepare him for Indian Wells and Miami in March.

I wouldn't put money on him appearing there. Wouldn't be surprised to see him play nothing but clay from now until the FO.

I wouldn't put money on him appearing there. Wouldn't be surprised to see him play nothing but clay from now until the FO.

He'll play the march masters tournaments because he'll be required to and if he proves to himself that he's capable of playing good tennis in February then he'll also want to (he is a champion of the game who won't run away from properly returning to the tour's diverse surfaces once he's able to return to competition).

I wouldn't put money on him appearing there. Wouldn't be surprised to see him play nothing but clay from now until the FO.

Yup, if he already pulled out of AO because of health concerns, then grinding it out in Miami would make little sense.

__________________“There’s so many athletes, tennis players around the world,” he continued, trying to put his life into some kind of perspective, “they want to be the best in what they do. They want to succeed. Many of them, they don’t succeed in the end. I’m fortunate to have this opportunity and succeed.”

He'll play the march masters tournaments because he'll be required to and if he proves to himself that he's capable of playing good tennis in February then he'll also want to (he is a champion of the game who won't run away from properly returning to the tour's diverse surfaces once he's able to return to competition).

Yeah I can't see him skipping both. One maybe but not both. He'd not have an excuse if he plays Acapulco, and then a scheduled exo in New York straight after. Also if he skips both he has a month out of competition and as a general rule he likes to play matches to find form - won't want such a massive break before Monte Carlo I don't think.

Could see him play IW and skip Miami though depending on how IW goes. Both those Masters have a days rest in between matches anyway and suit his game so I think he'll play as long as knee was okay on clay before hand.

Will be interesting to see once AO starts if any of his sycophants in the media have something to say about this. Even his biggest tards have to admit it looks pretty bad when he's out there practicing two weeks before a tournament he pulled out of. I mean how often do you see players out on the practice court right after they pulled out of a tournament?

this is a bit dissapointing, love Rafa, but it certainly does seem not very genuine excuse, opting out of a grand slam weeks early and then (still weeks early) practicing on clay courts..

not really proud of him for this at all, not cool. if he's fit enough to practice on clay then its a bit of a baby move to not play Australia. last time I checked players weren't allowed to opt out of tournaments just because they thought they were rusty? does ATP not implement anything anymore?
I was totally ok with it when he said it was a stomach problem and that his practice would not be enough in time, but its still weeks away from Australia and he's practicing on clay
ughhh. not pretty thing to see Nadal

nadal and his team knows that he wil back after the AO and over clay.....

but they said many bullshits because sponsors and more comercial things.

but the ATP , nadal and other knows that nadal has the decisition of back after AO 2013 , they know that since june.

Will be interesting to see once AO starts if any of his sycophants in the media have something to say about this. Even his biggest tards have to admit it looks pretty bad when he's out there practicing two weeks before a tournament he pulled out of. I mean how often do you see players out on the practice court right after they pulled out of a tournament?

Nadal is preparing well and is super motivated, he's also training with non-gravity machines that will help him heal his knees. I think he will give a surprise to all his haters in 2013 who desperately want him to fail.